Tuesday, 12 March 2013

No – I
didn’t need rescuing from the Gong Bath!
I have not done nearly as much as I intended to – on the other hand I’ve
made a good start on a number of things – my flat is somewhat more organised
and tidier than it’s been for ages ... so everything’s in place – and my head
too!!

Resonance ...

Lenny’s
comment touched me ..."for sure i’m gonna
miss you my special friend. Have a real
fun time and come back and tell us all the cool stuff you did.”

So, of course, I dropped Lenny an email
... saying I was here and we could email if he wanted to stay in touch that way
.... oh yes, he did – and has kept me amused ever since ...!!!

The envelope with badge are at the back,the card with a cat on it, Lenny's letter -complete with Rocky headed notepaper +Racoon footprints!, some chocolates, anotebook, a bookmark ...

I
mentioned I go back up to the Nursing Centre to see one particular lady, Linda,
as she doesn’t have any relatives ... is so lovely, doesn’t complain and
gets on with her life as best she can, while my visits seem to cheer her up.

Back
came ... "i been thinking bout that lady you go visit at the home and
how you said shes got not one family person. i could like to get her a nice card and send
it to you so you could give it to her.

... and pink hair slides - aren't they lovely,while the box of Georgia mints has Linda'sname printed on them ...

maybe
it could make her happy to get it. do
you think its ok to send it even if she doesnt know who iam? if its ok you could tell me her name so i
could put it on the card.”

Linda was so pleased to receive a card and
little packet from the States ... I’d warned her a surprise was coming – she
was soooo delighted though and I know really warmed the cockles of her heart ... thank
you Lenny!

Lenny wrote a letter to her too – two pages ...
[so Roland (or Mark Twain) – Letter Writing isn’t dying here
...] telling Linda about his critter cafe, his family and life ... in his usual
bouncy style ... just so lovely – and Linda was sooo soooo chuffed .... then I
had to explain “chuffed” to Lenny! He
was very happy to know that she was so pleased.

Ah - the
Gong Bath ... I go to the Natural Fitness Centre based in the old Lifeboat
Station overlooking the sea ... in a gorgeous place to have treatments ... with
a lovely group of therapists ... (some
of whom spent time with my mother - for which I was eternally grateful).

Sailing in front of the Natural Fitness Centre

I have done and do a mixture of Qigong, Meditation,
Shiatsu, Pilates and have osteopathy treatments ... this time the Qigong group
were offered the experience of a Gong Bath – we’re game for anything!!

We relaxed on yoga mats with the sound of the
sea washing the pebbles in the background, then Gabby began her gong therapy
... ancient gong sounds resonated through the room – varying with the different
sizes used ...

Gabby with some of her gongs

... the meeting of sound with form dissipates
everything that is not real ... the frequencies bathed, soothed, washed
through, immersed and seduced us ... taking us fully on our journey of
whispering vibrations as we experienced the full effects of the harmonies over
and in our bodies.

A promotional view - just lookswonderful doesn't it

We each had different experiences ... I would
love to have another gong bath ... to experience the harmonious waves that
vessels of sound can bring us to a time of peace and healing in this chaos of
human existence.

It was interesting and fascinating to say the
least ... while being an area I’d like to explore further ... to find out more
about the origins of therapeutic sound that were the origins of our vocal chords
– yet which today still have powerful influences on our beings.

To change the subject yet again ... I’m over with Laura at
Mistress Snark’s Parlour – having a zizz after tea with Jezebel ... one
dangerous lady – still she’s lured me out of my lair and I’m blogging again!

I'm over with Jezebel discussingfeet measurements in barleycornsizes!

See you all soon – especially as the A – Z is
rushing towards us ...

It looks like it’s a good thing I’m
semi-snowbound today as I’m back blogging ... Sussex has had the worst of the
snowy weather – not a lot, but enough to ice up, block roads ... the wind was
terrible yesterday ...

Sunset at the NFC

... and the Natural Fitness Centre rang and said don’t come
down ... we’re not sure if we’re about to swim or stay dry: squally winds, a
high tide and a full moon did not help ...
update to follow ...

Funny -- when you mentioned your fitness center, I had pictured a different kind of facility. When I go to the gym, it's to the St. Mary's Wellness and Fitness Center. No treatments of any kind there, just exercise, exercise, and more exercise.

Lenny sounds like a wonderful person -what a thoughtful thing to do. Welcome back, Hilary, you were missed. Glad you had a good time away. I'd love to join you at that fitness Centre - sounds just like my cup of tea.Karen

You AND Lenny are examples of what most of the rest of the world has forgotten. You both give up a little bit of your life to make life bearable for others. I know so few humans who would or could be capable of this.OOOOhh, I would love to visit your fitness center. It has all the activities I love to participate in. I'm so happy you are getting out, doing nice things for your wellbeing and having a fun tea time.Take care

Welcome back !! I hope that your time off was lovely. Lenny is such an inspiration. I like the way he writes and I like the way he cares about people. I am not sure how to register this year for the A to Z challenge. If I do not get to register, I will write anyway. Are you going to go for the challenge?

@ Old Kitty - all in all Lenny and Linda have given each other pleasure ...

The gong bath is a wonderful experience ...

@ Karen - Lenny cheers me up no end ... not to say I need cheering up - but he certainly always brings a smile to my face ...

You'd love the Fitness Centre - it's a gorgeous place for a work-out ...wonderful setting ...

@ Manzanita - that's exceedingly kind ... Lenny enjoys the interaction and I love being the connector and bringing some joy into people's lives - and yes, I'm pleased I'm still visiting at the Nursing centre ...

You'd love it at the Natural Fitness Centre and they do dance sometimes too ...

The tea party - well ... I need to recover from Jezebel's machinations and questions!

@ Bish - lovely to see you ... you're so right about his demeanour in life ...

That gong bath was lovely ... just the resonance ...

@ DG - good to see you too ... I love learning new things and will always try ideas out - sound healing is coming to the fore now ...

I don't do dull! Thanks - it's good to be back ...

Roland's "Mourning the death of a letter" .. was well timed with Lenny's card and packet sent over for Linda ... she was so moved.

@ Annalisa - Lenny inspires; while Linda's capacity to be at peace with her situation deserves a lot of congratulation and acknowledgement ..

The Gong Bath is brilliant ... yes it sounds away ... (Lol) ...

@ Munir - Lenny just grasps life and lives it - always full of life isn't he. He does care hugely about people too ..

I emailed you the link re the A-Z if you want to join ... I'm doing it, yes ...

@ Luanne - sorry we're not sitting in a warm bath .. it's the sound reverberating around us - but I'm certain if a spa was around - the gong therapy would be an added pleasure.

It was a very relaxing pleasurable tonic for the mind ...

Thanks so much for coming by after my return from my break ... it did me good - cheers Hilary

Lenny, whoever you are, you are nice. I like nice. I'll try to remember the title of the French movie. The Hurricane got me started on French movies several years ago and I've liked every single one I've seen.

Such a kind gesture from Lenny. It sometimes doesn't take much to brighten someone's day. (: You've intrigued me with the French movie, I'll have to check that one out. And I've never heard of a gong bath but it sounds so relaxing, exactly what I could use right now, lol. :D

Great to see you back again, Hilary! How kind of Lenny, and how kind of you too to visit the lady, Linda. I love the sound of the Gong Bath too. I could do with something relaxing like that right now :-)

This was a lovely post. So many lonely people out here with no family.Letter writing has become a dying art thanks to internet but it is still nicer I think to recieve a card or a letter even if you have to wait a little longer. Sometimes a letter would take weeks to arrive but it sure was worth it to receive it. It had a lot more meaning than any email today.

@ Jo - thanks for the link re the A-Z .. Lenny just amazes me with his caring attitude. The Gong Bath was a very different experience ..

@ Shelley - I've taking it easy yet getting things done ..

@ Janie - Lenny is one special lad. Great if you can get to watch The Well Digger's Daughter ... we often have them via the Film Society ... they brought us the Oscar nominated "Amour" - brilliant and evocative French film about an elderly couple dealing with a stroke .. and coping or not with life thereafter ...

@ Patsy - Lenny is nicer than I am and much more special!! Truly.

@ Gary - Lenny does touch our hearts doesn't he ... many thanks for your thoughts - it's good to be back.

It's important to be around for people if they're going through tough times - I had a lot of support when my mother was ill ... over the years.

Mistress Snark does lure us .. doesn't she ... and that alphabet thing again ... oh yes!

@ Holly - Lenny encourages me on .. what he did for Linda is so inspiring ...

@ Nick - the roads round here and along the coast were terrible .. thankfully I didn't need to go out!

Lenny really reaches out across humanity doesn't he ... and you know how much that helps you and your family ...

The gong bath is such a fabulous experience ...

@ Elise - it doesn't take much to brighten our day .. but Lenny's sunshine lives on with the experience of the letter and packet ..

You'll love the movie - I hope you can get to see it locally somewhere in France ...

Gong Bath - that resonance ...

@ Val - it's good to stay in touch .. and Lenny's thought just brought a big smile to Linda ...

I hope things are improving for you - but the snow can't have helped ... as I think you had more than we've had ...

@ Joylene - birds of a feather .. fit Lenny for sure - and I love sharing things with him ..

@ Yvonne - we need to think of others and Lenny certainly does that - always has done .. happiness via care and thought could make the world go round much more easily ...

@ A Lady's Life - Linda is a stalwart of adjusting to very difficult circumstances ... she has my admiration ..

I agree that a letter through the post is so much nicer - I keep looking everyday!! Sometimes they arrive .. and I'm writing out a few still ... Lenny's letter means so much to Linda ...

@ Susan - Lenny is a very special young man ... The Gong Bath was a lovely experience and now I want to find out more ...

Many thanks everyone - it's so lovely to be welcomed back ... makes my heart sing ... from a crisp, sunny, very cold March morning! Hilary

@ Friko .. sometimes it's difficult to fit in all the subjects - hence the squirrel! I am happy healthy and fit - or on the way to being there!

The gong bath was a great experience ... and you appreciate Lenny, I know that ..

@ Sandie .. yup here I am .. thank you. Linda certainly loves people who can spend a little time with her - she's an amazing person ... and I know makes a big difference to her dreary days ... but she does keep cheerful ...

I hope I meet someone like you when I'm old and in a home. What you are doing for Linda is great. I have an extremely small family and when my very old parents are dead, I will be alone in the world. I can totally see myself in Linda.

It seems that you had a very nice time ! I go to yoga classes too once a week. I don't know this movie "The Well Digger’s Daughter" because the title in English is certainly different then in the French original. We had a snowstorm and the whole country broke down ! Terrible ! I am so fed up of winter !

Hi Hilary! Welcome back. It is nice to read your posts and your comments again! Regarding the previous post about the architect, my mother enjoyed it. She says she loves his work. Not much to add about that. Stay well.

@ Lee .. we sorted the Bath bit out and I noted your thought re the Costume Museum - I haven't been to Bath for years ... so I must visit soon ...

@ Michael - yes we're a small family too - no children ... perhaps there's a business idea here?! They often have so many stories to tell ... Linda is the epitome of a good patient ...

@ Gattina - it was good to have that break ... and I enjoy the classes. Your snow was much worse than ours - which often happens - still the drifts of snow are still very visible ... and it caused a lot of disruption here ...

Oh what a wonderful uplifting story What a wonderful acts of kindness from you to give company and from Lenny for the goodies. A special experience to relax with sound of the gongs. I always enjoy our wind chime in the garden. Thanks for the tip for the movie as well. I love the French country side so I have a look of it is in our cinema's

I'm so glad to see you back blogging, Hilary! And, I was very worried about you after Jezebel got a hold of you with her tea, glad you survived your visit to Mistress Snark.

I think that's so wonderful that you continue to visit Linda in the nursing centre. I would imagine it is hard to go there sometimes since your mother is gone but I bet your visits mean the world to Linda. And Lenny is a real gem!

What a lovely thing for Lenny to do! It always warms my heart when I hear people reach out to others. As a kid, I was always partial to the older ones. They told such grand tales and it fun to spend time with them. I still have a few older ones I send cards and short missives to. I could another to my list...

Gong therapy--what a name. But, seriously, sound is healing and relaxing. It makes since that you felt refreshed afterward.

@ Sia - I still write out .. everyone loves the real thing ... letters or cards and Lenny's thoughtful contribution to Linda's life has made a huge difference ...

Gong therapy - one of the elderly who attend the class and joined us said she found it loud - I thought it was so soft ... funny our perceptions. I must ask the others what they felt ..

I honestly think I've just been slow and to an extent lazy .. but 7 days a week for over 5 years was a stretch ... but nothing like so many others go through: I appreciate your thoughts - you've had your own road ... and yes - lots of hugs with you too ... one day!

@ Donna - it's part of life isn't it ... I just couldn't walk away if I can help out .. but Lenny is in a class of his own.

Hi. I am making the rounds and trying to say hello to all of the people who are helping with this years A to Z blogging challenge. I have been away from my blog for a while, but will return on April 1st & I will be back then to check out your post. Thanks for helping with this awesome challenge. I look forward to reading your blog post.

Monthly Blogfest - last Friday of each month ... # WATWBlogfest

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About Me

A lover of life – who after London, spent time in South Africa; an administrator, sports lover, who enjoys cooking and entertaining ... who through her mother’s illness found a new passion – writing, in particular blogging; which provides an opportunity for future exploration, by the daughter, who has (in her 3rd age years) found a love of historical education. Curiosity didn’t kill this cat – interaction is the key! Now moved to Vancouver Island, Canada for 'a while' - not forever ...